Poz Vibe Tribe and the Health Service Executive (HSE) are urging people to be ready to talk about and listen to stories of HIV\/AIDS. The call comes in coincidence with Irish AIDS Day on June 15, a time to remember those who have passed and shed light on experiences often unheard due to stigma and shame.<\/p>\n
The \u2018Ready to Talk and Ready to Listen\u2019 message builds on the You, Me & HIV<\/a> campaign launched last year, which has seen a notable decline in discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV. According to the HSE, rates dropped from 54% in November 2024 to 49% at the end of 2025. Additionally, more people reported feeling comfortable with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues living with HIV.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want those of us living with HIV to be able to continue to accept our status and move forward and thrive without shame or stigma,\u201d Poz Vibe Tribe Co-Founder and drag star Veda Lady said. \u201cIt is important to try and dismantle the shame of the past by freeing these stories today.\u201d<\/p>\n Reflecting on their personal experiences, Veda shared, \u201cMy cousin died of AIDS related illness at the age of 18 in 1985, but I wasn\u2019t told that until three years ago at a beloved family member\u2019s funeral. I myself struggled to share my HIV diagnosis with my family and friends for 10 years.<\/p>\n \u201cI regret that; it was a mistake. The stigma silenced me when I would have benefited from a hug and sometimes, a shoulder to cry on the most.\u201d<\/p>\n They added that this Irish AIDS Day, they are encouraging people to \u201cget Ready to Talk about the stories they\u2019ve hidden and packed away\u201d, and for society to be \u201cReady to Listen with empathy and understanding\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is nothing to be ashamed of in living with HIV or in dying of AIDS,\u201d they stated.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Fellow Poz Vibe Tribe Co-Founder Robbie Lawlor added, \u201cOn Irish AIDS Day we think about those who have died and mourn their loss. We also look to the future and how we can honour their memory by trying to achieve our 2030 goals of zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths and ultimately zero stigma and discrimination. We can only do that by facing up to our history, talking to each other and being ready to listen to stories from the past and present that may surprise us, and inspire us to look at things in a different way.\u201d<\/p>\n Professor Diona Lyons, National Clinical Lead of the HSE\u2019s Sexual Health Programme, stated, \u201cOn Irish AIDS Day, we pause to remember those we have lost and the stories that may have gone untold. Today, with advancements in medicine, people living with HIV can live long and happy lives. However, this wasn\u2019t always the case.<\/p>\n \u201cWorking together, we can help break the stigma surrounding what was once a much-feared diagnosis. We are asking people to be Ready to Talk and Ready to Listen to those living with HIV.\u201d<\/p>\n Robbie notes that \u201cup until the early 90\u2019s, everyone who acquired HIV developed AIDS and died\u201d, with the latter being labelled the \u201ckiller disease\u201d. However,\u00a0things are much different now. <\/p>\n People on effective treatment can go on to live a long and healthy life, and cannot pass on HIV to sexual partners. There is now medication that lowers a person\u2019s viral load to an undetectable and untransmittable level, which is the driving force behind the landmark U=U initiative.<\/p>\n For more resources on HIV, click here<\/a>, or to hear stories as part of the You, Me & HIV campaign, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Did you know that this Pride month, you can support GCN by donating \u20ac1 when you shop online with PayPal? Simply select GCN at the checkout or add us as your favourite charity* at this link<\/a>\u00a0to support Ireland\u2019s free LGBTQ+ media.<\/p>\n *GCN is a trading name of National LGBT Federation CLG, a registered charity \u2013 Charity Number: 20034580<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2026 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.<\/p>\n Support GCN<\/p>\n GCN is a free, vital resource for Ireland\u2019s LGBTQ+ community since 1988.<\/p>\n GCN is a trading name of National LGBT Federation CLG, a registered charity – Charity Number: 20034580<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n GCN relies on the generous support of the community and allies to sustain the crucial work that we do. Producing GCN is costly, and, in an industry which has been hugely impacted by rising costs, we need your support to help sustain and grow this vital resource.<\/p>\n